Steve Komphela admits his coaching seat at Kaizer Chiefs is getting warmer ahead of the MTN8 quarterfinal away at Cape Town City on Friday‚ but says he will not alter the way he wants his team to play.
Chiefs lost their league opener to BidVest Wits on Tuesday to pile more pressure on Komphela‚ who was defeated in two cup finals last season and could only manage a fifth-place finish in the league.
Komphela does not feel the 2-1 result against Wits was a true reflection of his team’s ability though and expects them to execute better against the new Premier Soccer League franchise.
“A team of this calibre‚ it’s all about trophies‚” Komphela said.
“We are working tirelessly to meet those demands.
“I’m addicted to pressure and this is one great brand. Even to coach this team for one day would be a wonderful job. I take the pressure because it is about sacrificing for others‚ the supporters‚ the management. Those two are the most important people.
“The one thing we know about the MTN8 is that getting to the final is not enough. The game on Tuesday against Wits … there are things we need to fix but that does not mean you need to take things to the extreme.
“We are going to keep the same structure and will play the way we know. Against Wits we gave them too much time on the ball. Allowed them to play too many route one balls. We allowed them to press without arrogance.
“Those are the things we need to fix‚ not to change the style we want to play.”
Komphela says he has studied Cape Town City’s 2-0 win over Polokwane City on Tuesday and knows what to expect from them.
“Cape Town City are not new boys‚ they maybe have a sexy new logo‚ but they are football people and most of the team come from Black Aces. We know what they are capable of.”
City coach Eric Tinkler was happy to talk up the pressure Chiefs are under as the former Orlando Pirates coach perhaps‚ for once‚ relished the underdog tag.
“The pressure is on them‚ they come in as favourites‚” Tinkler said.
“With the fact that they didn’t win their first league match‚ I expect them to come out all guns blazing. It’s going to be a tough game.
“They are playing a little differently to how they have in the past. Their fullbacks are coming inside‚ the wingers are giving them more width and in the past the system has been totally different.
“Also‚ with the amount of players they have brought in there was always going to be a period of adjustment.”
Tinkler confirmed that Shu-Aib Walters‚ back from a one-game suspension‚ would take over the goalkeeper gloves‚ but suggested that Lebogang Manyama‚ who made a huge impact off the bench against Polokwane‚ was still not ready to start after missing most of pre-season through injury.
Ghana defender Joseph Adjei is still waiting for his work permit and will not feature. - TMG Digital
Beleaguered Komphela admits he's feeling the heat as lacklustre Chiefs struggle
Steve Komphela admits his coaching seat at Kaizer Chiefs is getting warmer ahead of the MTN8 quarterfinal away at Cape Town City on Friday‚ but says he will not alter the way he wants his team to play.
Chiefs lost their league opener to BidVest Wits on Tuesday to pile more pressure on Komphela‚ who was defeated in two cup finals last season and could only manage a fifth-place finish in the league.
Komphela does not feel the 2-1 result against Wits was a true reflection of his team’s ability though and expects them to execute better against the new Premier Soccer League franchise.
“A team of this calibre‚ it’s all about trophies‚” Komphela said.
“We are working tirelessly to meet those demands.
“I’m addicted to pressure and this is one great brand. Even to coach this team for one day would be a wonderful job. I take the pressure because it is about sacrificing for others‚ the supporters‚ the management. Those two are the most important people.
“The one thing we know about the MTN8 is that getting to the final is not enough. The game on Tuesday against Wits … there are things we need to fix but that does not mean you need to take things to the extreme.
“We are going to keep the same structure and will play the way we know. Against Wits we gave them too much time on the ball. Allowed them to play too many route one balls. We allowed them to press without arrogance.
“Those are the things we need to fix‚ not to change the style we want to play.”
Komphela says he has studied Cape Town City’s 2-0 win over Polokwane City on Tuesday and knows what to expect from them.
“Cape Town City are not new boys‚ they maybe have a sexy new logo‚ but they are football people and most of the team come from Black Aces. We know what they are capable of.”
City coach Eric Tinkler was happy to talk up the pressure Chiefs are under as the former Orlando Pirates coach perhaps‚ for once‚ relished the underdog tag.
“The pressure is on them‚ they come in as favourites‚” Tinkler said.
“With the fact that they didn’t win their first league match‚ I expect them to come out all guns blazing. It’s going to be a tough game.
“They are playing a little differently to how they have in the past. Their fullbacks are coming inside‚ the wingers are giving them more width and in the past the system has been totally different.
“Also‚ with the amount of players they have brought in there was always going to be a period of adjustment.”
Tinkler confirmed that Shu-Aib Walters‚ back from a one-game suspension‚ would take over the goalkeeper gloves‚ but suggested that Lebogang Manyama‚ who made a huge impact off the bench against Polokwane‚ was still not ready to start after missing most of pre-season through injury.
Ghana defender Joseph Adjei is still waiting for his work permit and will not feature. - TMG Digital
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